JCC urges immediate clean-up of bloated voters’ list

With voter turnout stagnating at a mere 39.5 per cent, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has issued a plea for an immediate overhaul of the national voters’ list, warning that its inflated and inaccurate register risks further undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

“Voter turnout this election was lower than desired, standing at 39.5 per cent, a figure that underscores the need for urgent electoral reforms,” the organisation said in a statement.

The call, however, comes following a Gleaner report on Friday in which former Director of Elections Orette Fisher stated that the turnout was likely misleading because of a significantly overinflated electoral roll.

Fisher estimated that the actual number of eligible voters is closer to 1.5 million, not the over two million currently on the list. He blamed insufficient updating practices for the discrepancy.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) confirmed a 39.5 per cent voter turnout in this week’s general election, a slight increase from the 2020 turnout of 37.9 per cent, which was the lowest on record and came during the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure sharply contrasts with the 78.4 per cent turnout recorded in 1980, the highest on record.

Weighing in on the issue, the JCC expressed deep concern about the persistently low voter turnout, pointing to the inflated voters’ list as a contributing factor.

“The current voters’ list remains substantially inflated with names that should have been removed long ago,” the JCC said. “We therefore call for the comprehensive and timely updating of the voters’ list, to enhance confidence in the electoral process.”

JCC President Phillip Ramson, in the meantime, underscored the importance of democratic engagement.

Ramson stated that, despite the turnout figure, “the process reflects the enduring strength of our democratic institutions”.

He urged citizens to remain active in civic life, describing participation as the “cornerstone of a thriving democracy”.

jcc’s pledge

The JCC, while congratulating the Jamaica Labour Party on its victory and commending the People’s National Party for its resilience and electoral gains, affirmed its commitment to holding all elected officials accountable. The JCC also pledged to engage with both the Government and Opposition to advocate for policies that reflect the best interests of Jamaica’s economy, business community, and citizens.

Echoing the call for accountability and reform, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) also extended congratulations to the JLP and its leader, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, on their electoral win. In a press release yesterday, JFJ welcomed the party’s stated priorities on justice reform, national security, governance, and anti-corruption, while calling for swift and inclusive action on these critical issues.

The organisation urged the incoming administration to resume work on constitutional reform with bipartisan cooperation.

“These reforms should deliver transformative changes addressing state power and authority, accountability to the people, and stronger protection for human rights,” JFJ stated.

The group also advocated for greater civil society participation and bipartisan leadership in parliamentary committees, to enhance transparency and oversight.

JFJ acknowledged the PNP’s expanded presence in Parliament and called for the Opposition to engage constructively in promoting accountability and effective governance. The group further emphasised the role of third parties in strengthening democratic checks and balances.

editorial@gleanerjm.com